Chicken and Rice
Put chicken pieces and rice in a large pot with chopped vegetables and chicken stock. Cook it in the oven for a few hours. For variety, use a can of chicken noodle soup or a packet of dirty rice.
Omelet
For one or two people a quick meal is an omelet. Add cheese, mushrooms, peppers or onions for extra flavor. Alternatively cook scrambled eggs which are very quick to cook and then sprinkle with cheese.
Beef Stew
Cut up cubes of beef into a large pot, add onions, carrots, celery and potatoes. Add enough liquid so it won’t get dry and cook it on warm for about 4 hours, or put it in a crock pot.
Ravioli
Ravioli can be bought fresh, frozen or in cans. It’s quick to cook and can be served with pasta sauce or cheese.
Fish
You can buy plain fish or fish in breadcrumbs and cook it in the oven and serve with rice and vegetables. If you have a rice cooker with a vegetable steamer it’s easy to cook the rice and vegetables together in one pot.
Pizza
Pizza can be delivered, bought frozen or made fresh. For a quick homemade pizza base you can cut French bread in half lengthwise, add toppings and cook.
Macaroni Cheese
Start with a box of macaroni cheese and add hot dog sausages or cubes of other meat. Or make your own macaroni cheese, sprinkle cheese on top and bake to make the topping crispy.
Sandwiches
Although usually thought of as a snack rather than a meal, sandwiches are very quick to make and most people have something in their fridge they can tuck between two slices of bread. I like to have meat and cheese sandwiches and then microwave.
Think ahead and freeze extra
One day you may be short of time, but another day you may have time to cook. So make double and freeze half, then on days when you are short of time you have your own freezer to microwave dinners.
Remember the important part of a family meal is the togetherness and not the food. Eat together regularly and it will help build family relationships.
The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner: Easy Family Meals for Every Day of the Week
